Refuse compactor control circuit



United States Patent 3,045,164 7/1962 Russell Inventor Gordon H. BrownSt. Joseph, Michigan Appl. No. 725,072 Filed April 29, 1968 PatentedDec. 1, 1970 Assignee Whirlpool Corporation a corporation of DelawareREFUSE COMPACTOR CONTROL CIRCUIT 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 100/52, 100/290: 318/286, 318/290 Int. Cl 33% 15/14 FieldofSearch 318/282, 286, 290; 100/52 References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,240,484 3/1966 Klamp 3,427,521 '2/1969 Goldstein PrimaryExaminer-Gris L. Rader Assistant Examiner-K. L. Crosson Attorneys-JamesS. Nettleton, Thomas E. Turcotte, Gene A.

I-Ieth, Burton H. Baker, Donald W. Thomas, Frank C. l-Iarter andHofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and Mc Cord ABSTRACT: A refusecompactor having a ram driven by an electric motor for compacting refusein a receptacle. The operation of the motor is controlled by an electriccontrol circuit including manually operable pushbutton switches andswitches responsive to the arrangement of the compactor elements forautomatically controlling a compacting cycle. The control includes asignal lamp for indicating to the user energization of the motor. Themanual pushbuttons and lamp are provided in one form ofthe compactor ina plug adapted to be connected to the compactor with a special plug.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 3,543,676-

23 29 26 FIG! 27 33 39 INVENTOR GORDON H. BROWN ,T M, ATTORNEYS.

REFUSE COMPACTOR CONTROL CIRCUIT This invention relates to electricalcontrol circuits and in particular to electrical control circuits foruse in a refuse compactor and the like.

In copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 725,058, filed April 29,1968, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,527,161, and owned by the assignee hereof, arefuse compactor is shown and described to include a ram selectivelydriven by an electric motor to compress refuse and the like in areceptacle into which the refuse is delivered by a user, such as ahousewife. The compactor is arranged for compacting the refuse to asmall percentage of its original volume, thereby permitting thecollection of a substantial amount of refuse before it is necessary totransfer the compacted refuse to a storage area for collection.

The present invention comprehends an improved compactor such asdisclosed in said copending application provided with improved controlmeans for automatically controlling the operation of the compactor.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision ofnew and improved refuse compactor control means.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means including means for controlling the movement ofa ram of the compactor from a retracted position into compactingengagement with refuse placed in a compacting receptacle and back to theretracted position.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means wherein means are provided for effectingreversal of the ram when the forward movement thereof is stopped.

Stillanother feature of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means including improved electrical control circuitryfor effecting such control of the ram movement.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means including means for indicating the energizationof the ram motor.

Still another feature-of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means including new and improved controi circuitry forpreventing movement of the ram in the compacting direction whenever thereceptacle is moved from the preselected compacting position.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a refusecompactor control means wherein manual control means are provided in aplug adapted to be connected to the compactor with a special plug.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a compactor apparatus provided withcontrol means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical wiring ofthecontrol means;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wiring of a modified formof control means-embodying the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wiring of another form ofcontrol means embodying the invention.

' In the exemplaryembodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1and 2 of the drawing, a compactor apparatus generally designated isshown to comprise a base 11 on which a receptacle, or drawer, 12 isremovably disposed. A ram 13 is carried on a pair of upright members 14and 15 which are, in turn, connected respectively to a pair of screws 16and 17 upstanding from base 11. More specifically, upright members 14and 15 are connected to the screws 16 and 17 by spring and nut means 18,as disclosed more fully in said copending application, and in copendingUS. Pat. application Ser. No. 724,959, filed April 29, 1968, and ownedby the assignee hereof. The screws 16 and 17 are driven by an electricmotor 19 through a suitable drive 20 to be concurrently rotated aboutthe respective axes thereof on journals 21 carried on base 11 andjournals 22 carried on a top plate 23. The

ram 13 is connected to the upper ends of the upright members 14 and 15by a crossmember 24, whereby the ram structure effectively bridges thereceptacle 12 when it is disposed in the compacting position of FIG. 1.Thus, when the screws 16 and 17 are rotated, the nut means 18 arecorrespondingly lowered or raised depending on the direction of rotationof the screws, whereby the upright members 14 and 15 and ram 13 arecorrespondingly lowered or raised.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ram is adapted to fit into the top portion ofthe receptacle 12 so as to compact refuse delivered thereinto. As shownin FIG. 1, the receptacle is movable to a compacting position overlyingbase 11 by means of roller track structures 25.

As indicated above, the above discussed structure is disclosed morespecifically in said copending applications and reference may be hadthereto for a full disclosure of the compactor structure 10.The presentinvention comprehends a control circuit means 26 for controlling theoperation of the drive motor 19 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.The control may be energized from a conventional power supply havingleads L, and L The control 26 may include manual operating means mountedsuperjacent plate 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the control 26 may include aStart" pushbutton 27, an "Up pushbutton 28 and a signal lamp 29. Asshown in FIG. 2, the control 26 for the motor 19 includes a relay coil32a, a normally open switch 32b, a normally closed switch 320, and anormally open switch 32d. The switches 32b, 32c, and 32d are controlledby relay coil 32a as indicated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4,the motor 19 includes a first winding 30 and a second winding 31. Eitherofthe windings 30 and 31 may be connected, via control 26, in seriesrelation with a capacitor 34 (shown in FIG. 2), and in parallel with theother winding. At any given time, one of the motor windings 30 and 31,depending upon the state of energization of coil 32a, will be connectedin series with the capacitor 34, with the other motor winding beingconnected in parallel across the line. Rotation of the motor 19 in thereverse direction is then accomplished by operating control 26 toconnect the capacitor 34 in series with the other winding, with bothwindings being connected in parallel across L, and L As illustrated, inorder to move the ram downward toward the receptacle, the coil 32a isenergized causing normally closed switch 32c to open and normally openswitch 32b to close. The motor is then energized across L, and L throughconnections in which capacitor 34 is connected in series with motorwinding 31 and in parallel with winding 30. In order to return the ramto the retracted position, the coil 32a is deenergized establishingconnections in which switch 32b is open and switch 32c is closed,connecting motor 19 across L, and L with capacitor 34 in series withwinding 30 and in parallel with winding 31.

A normally closed limit switch 33 opens interrupting energization whenthe ram is. at the upper limit of its travel, as shown in FIG. 1.

The signal lamp 29 is connected across the capacitor 34 and, thus, isilluminated whenever the motor 19 is energized to operate in eitherdirection to indicate energization of the motor. The lamp 29 maycomprise a conventional 230 volt neon pilot lamp. The Start pushbutton27 comprises a normally open pushbutton, and is connected in series withrelay coil 32a through a pair of normally closed load limit switches 35carried on the upright members 14 and 15 to be engaged by actuators 36on the nut means 18 when the back force on the ram reaches a preselectedmaximum value, such as 1,500 pounds, a normally closed safety limitswitch 37 mounted on base 11 to be engaged by an actuator 38 on theupright member 14, and a normally open interlock switch 39 mountedrearwardly of the receptacle 12 to be closed when the receptacle is inthe compacting position of FIG. 1 and to open upon movement thereof awayfrom the compacting position. As shown in FIG. 2, switches 37 and 39 areconnected in series with switches 35 to the relay coil 320 so that whenthe ram is in the upper position of FIG. 1, closing of pushbutton 27completes a circuit from power supply lead L, to power supply lead L toenergize relay coil 32:; and thereby close switch 32b to energize motorwinding 30 and winding 3lthrough capacitor 34 causing downward movementof the ram.

The Up" pushbutton 28 comprises a normally closed pushbutton connectedin series with normally open switch 32d controlled by relay coil 32a tocomplete a holding circuit around the pushbutton 27 once the coil 32a isenergized permitting the pushbutton 27 to reopen while maintainingenergization of motor 19.

When the back pressure acting against the ram by the compaction ofrefuse in receptacle 12 reaches the preselected upper limit, one or bothof switches 35 open to break the circuit to the relay coil 32a, therebyopening switch 32d to break the holding circuit, opening switch 32b todeenergize the forward connection of motor 19, and closing switch 32c toenergize the reverse connection of motor 19. Thus, movement of the ramis automatically reversed to bring the ram back to the upper retractedposition of FIG. 1. When the ram reaches this position, the switch 33 isopened to deenergize the motor, thereby completing the cycle ofoperation of the compactor.

The signal lamp29 is energized in either direction of opera-' tion ofmotor 19 to indicate to the user the operation of the compactor eitherin a compacting or retracting cycle. In the event that the receptacle ismoved from the compacting position illustrated in FIG. 1 at any timeduring the compacting operation, the ram will be brought backimmediately to the retracted position by the opening of switch 39 toeffect the automatic reversal of the motor 19 discussed above.

In FIG. 3, a modified control 126 for compactor is shown to include aplug 40 carrying the manual pushbuttons 27 and 28 and the pilot lamp 29.The plug 40 is adapted to be connected to the remainder of control 126by a suitable multiconductor cable 41. The control 126 is similar to andfunctions similarly to control 26 in all other respects.

Referring now to FIG. 4, still another control, generally designated226, for controlling operation of compactor 10 is shown to be generallysimilar'to control 26, but arranged to stop operation of the ramwhenever the receptacle 12 is moved from the compacting position. Thus,in the event that the receptacle is moved while the ram is movingdownwardly, interlock switch 39 will open, interrupting movement of theram. Upon repositioning of the receptacle in the position of FIG. 1,switch 39 will close permitting energization of motor 19.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Start" pushbutton 27 is connected from one powersupply lead L through the normally closed lower limit switch 37 and loadlimit switches 35 and relay coil 32a to the other power supply lead L;The receptacle interlock switch 39 is connected between power supplylead L; and the common lead of motor 19.

Relay coil 142d controls the moving contact 142a of a double-throwswitch 142e for selective engagement with a fixed contact 14% or a fixedcontact 1420 of the switch 1422. The moving contact is connected topower supply lead Li and fixed contact 142b is connected to the reverseconnection of the motor 19 through the normally closed top limit switch33. Fixed contact 1420 is connected to the forward connection of motor19. The pilot lamp 29 and capacitor 34 are connected in parallel. The"Up pushbutton 28 is connected from power supply lead 1.: through anormally open switch 142f which is closed by energization of relay coil142d to provide a holding circuit around Start" pushbutton 27 when thecoil 142d is energized.

Thus, when pushbutton 27 is closed with the ram in the upper position ofFIG. 1, coil 142d is energized to throw moving contact 142a intoengagement with fixed contact 1420 to initiate downward movement of theram by energization of the forward connection of motor 19. The circuitis held in by the resultant closing of switch 142f.

In the event that the receptacle 12 is moved so as to permit opening ofswitch 39, energization of motor 19 is prevented in either directionwhile the holding circuit through switch 142f is maintained as theswitch 39 is in themotor circuit and not in the holding circuit. Whenthe receptacle 12 is restored to the compacting position of FIG. 1 toreclose switch 39, the motor 19 will continue its operation, and if itwere running forwardly at the time of stoppage, it will resume the downrotation operation until automatically reversed by the opening of one orboth of load switches 35, or the opening of lower limit switch 37. Thereverse connection of the motor 19 will then be energized through thenow-closed top limit switch 33 by the engagement of moving contact 142awith fixed contact l42b. Upward movement of the ram continues untillimit switch 33 is again opened, as shown in FIG. 1, to complete thecycle of operation of the compactor.

Thus, each of the controls 26, 126 and 226 provides for improvedoperation of a compactor, such as compactor 10, to effect automaticoperation of the ram from the retracted position into compressingengagement with the refuse placed in the receptacle and back to theretracted position, The cycle is initiated'by the user by operation ofthe Start pushbutton. In the event that the user at anytime wishes toreturn the ram to the retracted position while the ram is being lowered,he may effect such reversal of the ram operation by simply pressing theUp pushbutton. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the ramautomatically returns to the retracted position anytime the current tothe motor is interrupted, while in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the ram maybe permitted to continue its downward movement in the event that themovement is stopped during compaction. Each of the controls is extremelysimple and economical of construction, while yet providing the highlydesirable features as discussed above.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes.therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a domestic refuse compactor having a receptacle for holdingrefuse, a movable ram, and means including a fixedly mounted electricdrive motor and drive means including a plurality of parallel screws,and cooperating thread means carried by the ram for connecting saidfixedly mounted motor to said movable ram, said motor being operable ina forward direction to move said ram toward said receptacle to compactrefuse in the receptacle, and in a reverse direction to move said ramaway from said receptacle to a preselected retracted position whereinsaid ram is outwardly of said receptacle to permit manual movement ofsaid receptacle for filling and emptying of the receptacle when desired,means for controlling the drive motor to provide as the result of asingle manual operation a compacting cycle wherein said motor isoperated seriatim initially in said forward direction to compact therefuse and automatically reversed to restore the ram to said retractedposition in terminating each compacting cycle, said controlling meansbeing arranged to effect said reversal while permitting said screws tobe in said parallel relationship.

2. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 wherein saidcontrolling means includes switch means and means responsive to apreselected reaction force developed by the refuse against the ram foroperating said switch means to reverse the drive motor.

3. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 2 wherein said switchmeans includes a pair of switches responsive to reaction forcesdeveloped by the refuse at first and second spaced portions of the ram.

4. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 wherein saidcontrolling means includes a switch responsive to movement of the ram tothe preselected retracted position to deenergize the drive motor.

5. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 wherein saidcontrolling means includes switch means responsive to a movement of theram to a preselected position of maximum travel toward said receptacleto reverse the drive motor.

6. In a domestic refuse compactor having a receptacle for holdingrefuse, a ram, and means including an electric drive motor operable in aforward direction to move said ram toward said receptacle to compactrefuse in the receptacle, and in a reverse direction to move said ramaway from said receptacle to a preselected retracted position, means forcontrolling the drive motor to reverse the same to move the ram to saidretracted position whenever electrical power is available to saidcontrolling means for operating the drive motor in the reversedirection, said controlling means including a start switch, a normallyclosed load switch responsive to a preselected reaction force developedby the refuse against the ram to open the switch, a relay having a coil,a normally closed switch and a normally open switch controlled by saidcoil, said drive motor including a first winding and a second winding,said normally closed switch being connected in series with said firstwinding and said normally open switch being connected in series withsaid second winding, and a capacitor connected from between saidnormally closed switch and said first winding to between said normallyopen switch and said second winding for reversible energization of saidwindings, said relay coil on energization thereof causing said normallyclosed switch to open and normally open switch to close to connect saidcapacitor in series with said second winding and in parallel with saidfirst winding to energize the motor to move the ram toward thereceptacle, and said relay coil upon deenergization thereof permittingsaid normally closed switch to close and said normally open switch toopen thereby connecting said capacitor in series with said first windingand in parallel with said second winding to energize the motor to returnthe ram to the retracted position, said start switch and said loadswitch being connected in series with said coil to energize the coil toeffect said movement of the ram toward the receptacle until the reactionforce of the ram against the refuse in said receptacle becomessufficient to open said load switch and thereby deenergize said coil andcause said opening of the normally open switch and closing of thenormally closed switch to energize the motor via the series connectedcapacitor and first winding to return the ram to the retracted position.

7. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 including an electricpower cord including a plug at one end for delivering electrical powerto said motor, said controlling means including manually operable switchmeans carried by said plug for manually initiating operation of saidcompactor.

8. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 7 wherein saidcontrolling means further includes a signal light carried by said plugfor indicating energization of said motor.

9. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 7 wherein saidcontrolling means further includes manually operable switch meanscarried by said plug for manually reversing operation of said compactorfor reversing the motor when the motor is operating in a forwarddirection to restore the ram to the retracted position.

10. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 wherein saidcontrolling means includes signal light means for indicatingenergization of said motor.

11. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 further includingmeans for movably supporting said receptacle in a preselected compactingposition, and means for controlling the drive motor to stop movementthereof whenever the receptacle is moved from said preselectedcompacting position.

12. The domestic refuse compactor means of claim 1 further includingmeans for reversing the drive motor when a preselected reaction force isdeveloped by the refuse against the ram.

